overheating issue on my KA DE!!

[Amanda]

I have a 95 240 that I just dropped a rebuilt KA into and did a 5 speed conversion. The new motor and transmission came out of another car I had that worked perfectly fine before the swap. Im using a mishimoto radiator that was also in the other car. Now after the swap, I am overheating ( not horribly, just way hotter than normal) I then put in a new T-stat which did not help. Also my top radiator hose gets really hot after driving while the bottom one stays ice cold. We all figuered air pocket, well flushing the radiator isnt helping either. I am now guessing head gasket... what do you guys think?? The wierd thing though, is the engine never over heated before the swap! why now does it overheat after the swap??

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Can you turn your heat on while its overheating and get hot air?

Whenever I had air in my system, the heater wouldn't blow hot air. Have you tried bleeding the system from the bleeder screw near the throttle body?

[Amanda]

I have actually bled the system through the bleeder valve quite a few times, and it is not helping. and yes my heater does work when it overheats....

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Hmm... is the waterpump new? Generally, when I fill the cooling system, I fill it VERY slowly, giving all air bubbles a chance to escape.

[Amanda]

Well the water pump is not new, but we just ripped it off, and it looks fine.... and yes I filled the radiator VERY slowly... Im back to sqaure one!!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

If you can find a waterpump for cheap, you should go ahead and replace it... I remember when I was looking for mine, some were like, $29, and some were like $99, just odd.

[mikeblucas]

Hello, You had mentioned that the lower radiator hose was ice cold, after warm up. That is actually a bad thing. The reason that the lower radiator hose stays cold is because the thermostat is not opening/open or there is a blockage of some sort. Check for proper installation. You may be going deeper than you need to.Thank YouMike---

[Amanda]

Hello, You had mentioned that the lower radiator hose was ice cold, after warm up. That is actually a bad thing. The reason that the lower radiator hose stays cold is because the thermostat is not opening/open or there is a blockage of some sort. Check for proper installation. You may be going deeper than you need to.Thank YouMike---

Hey thanks you. I just replaced t-stat like a week ago, and everyone says there is a blockage of some sort. If that is the case, How do I go about "fixing" the blockage? Someone mentioned going to like a jiffy lube and having them vacum out the radiator... what do you think>?

also good idea on replacing water pump.... I know having a car means you should put money into it, I just hope i do not have to buy a whole bunch of stuff i do not need . I guess it just trial and error

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Make sure you installed the thermostat the correct way... I think there is a bleeder hole on top, but you might want to just drill a hole in that spot and make sure that you orient that hole pointing up (lets air escape).

[Amanda]

ok we found out the water pump belt WAS loose! so we tightend that up and of course right before that, we gutted the t-stat. The car runs too cool now.. anyways We will try another t-stat in there today because I'm thinking it was just the belts, and a new t-stat will confirm if it was or not..

[PapaSmurf2k3]

[Amanda]

I havnt gotten to it yet but I will let you know what happens, and thank you for your help ahead of time